Chair Lumbar Support Slider for Adjustable Back Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Many lumbar supports in chairs lack adjustability, providing the same level of support regardless of position, failing to accommodate individual user preferences for additional back support without increasing manufacturing costs or user complexity.

Innovation Solution

A lumbar support system featuring a polymeric sheet with a slit and a slider mechanism that allows the first and second portions to be attached or detached, enabling adjustable support by moving the slider along the slit, allowing for independent movement and varying levels of support based on user need.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a lumbar support is designed to provide adjustable support, then user comfort and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of lumbar supportVSAvoidcomplexity of lumbar support mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lumbar support member is divided into first and second portions that can be independently positioned relative to each other via the slider mechanism, allowing segmented adjustment of support characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slider mechanism enables dynamic reconfiguration of the lumbar support by allowing the first and second portions to be attached or detached at different positions along the member, providing adjustable support characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a lumbar support mechanism allows independent adjustment of support portions, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent adjustment capabilityVSAvoidease of adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slider mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user without requiring tools or complex procedures, allowing self-service adjustment of the lumbar support configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a lumbar support provides fixed support at all positions, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidadjustability of support level

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lumbar support member with slider mechanism serves multiple functions: it can provide continuous support when portions are attached, allow independent movement when detached, and enable adjustment of support characteristics by positioning the slider at different locations along the member

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2713825B1Lumbar support for a chair

Publication Date: 2015.05.06 FORMWAY FURNITURE

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A lumbar support (6) for a chair (1) includes a member (6a) having a first portion (8) separated from a second portion (9) via a slit formed in the member and a slider mechanism. The slider mechanism has a slider (7) that is moveable from a first position to a second position. The first and second portions (8, 9) of the member (6a) are attached to each other when the slider (7) is at the second position via the slider. The first and second portions (8, 9) of the member (6a) are unattached at the second position when the slider (7) is moved from the second position to the first position.